Natural Resources are Limited – and this is something we are all well aware of. It is the subject of national and international discussions. Limited resources contribute to the higher costs in the world of economic demand and supply theory. Furthermore, we all have a responsibility to conserve resources as part of our stewardship in using public funds.
Budgets are Under-funded – We are all well aware of these difficult economic times and I know of very few communities that would admit that they are fully funded. And with this said, it is probably true for most of us, that we have never been fully funded even in the best of times. The point that I am trying to make is that our collective needs are greater than the resources that the public can make available for education and in particular for managing school facilities.
Everyone is expected to do more with Less – this is simply true everywhere. And there is increased accountability for all positions.
There is no value added – there is no incremental benefit to teaching and learning if we use more energy. It is simply wasted money.
Energy costs are often reflective of preventative maintenance – when we skimp on PM, the equipment works harder to operate and this in turn uses more energy.
Energy costs are manageable – We can do a better job in reducing consumption and there is the opportunity to do so.
Why do you think that energy management is important?
KSBA is providing not only outstanding but exemplarily leadership to the state and in my opinion to the nation.
KSBA has made the commitment to fund an Energy Manager position for practically all school
districts in Kentucky. And what is also unique about this effort is that an energy manager may serve multiple districts. For more information go to www.ksba.org/energy-management
Bats in buildings is a huge issue –so much so that there is now a website totally dedicated to this topic. Visit http://agrilife.org/batsinschools/ and check it out. Generally bats are attracted to schools because their normal habitat has been disturbed and schools just have lots a places for them to live they only need the size of thumb to enter.
What additional topics would you like to have addressed?
First this depends on the state you are in. Some states have strict guidelines about product use on school property. Second it all depends on the ant – here is a link for sweet feeding ants. http://www.extension.org/pages/School_IPM_Action_Plan_for_Tramp_Ants However, if you have a carpenter ant, different bait is required. Other ants can require something totally different. Just because it’s natural does not always mean it’s allowed and effective.
If custodial staff and teachers do their jobs correctly, there should no problem. I have seen several schools do this correctly, but it does take teamwork. Trash needs to be placed out in the hall after breakfast. If there are spills you need to have a way of letting custodial staff know about the spills. I have seen something as simple as colored paper hangers on the outside of the door work for this. It is all about communication.
What tips do you have to share with our readers?
Generally one IPM coordinator per district is adequate, the bigger question is who does your pest control and do they have the time to service all your buildings using IPM principals. If not then you may need to have a led custodian or someone else at each campus that can help with the inspection and monitoring portion of your program.
Current rats will need to be removed. Best prevention: sanitation and rat walls installed around perimeter of portables. http://www.nwco.net/054-StepFourPreventFutureProblems/5-3-1-SpecialProductTo.asp (scroll to bottom of page)
This will all depend on what your provider is doing, if they spray or apply some type of pesticide each month – then NO that is not IPM. Check out this welcome packet from Florida to see what you can do to get IPM on every service visit http://schoolipm.ifas.ufl.edu/DOC/Florida%20SIPM%20Welcome%20package.pdf
That will depend on what state you are in the climate and anything else pertaining to weather –as many pests thrive depending on too much moisture or not enough. Contact your local county extension agent or check out this site at www.extension.org
What questions do you have?
Use indirect lighting when practical (source of lighting shielded from likely direction insects would approach from). Consensus is that sodium-vapor or other lighting systems that have a pink, yellow, or orange glow will be less attractive than the bright whitish or bluish mercury-vapor or fluorescent lights.
What tips do you have?